Сумерки

           It’simportant.Assoonasyougetthismessage,callmeatthisnumber."Alicewasalreadyatmyside,writingthenumberformeonthebottomofherpicture.Ireaditcarefully,twice."Pleasedon’tgoanywhereuntilyoutalktome.Don’tworry,I’mokay,butIhavetotalktoyourightaway,nomatterhowlateyougetthiscall,allright?Iloveyou,Mom.Bye."Iclosedmyeyesandprayedwithallmymightthatnounforeseenchangeofplanswouldbringherhomebeforeshegotmymessage.

           Isettledintothesofa,nibblingonaplateofleftoverfruit,

           anticipatingalongevening.IthoughtaboutcallingCharlie,butIwasn’tsureifIshouldbehomebynowornot.Iconcentratedonthenews,watchingoutforstoriesaboutFlorida,oraboutspringtraining-strikesorhurricanesorterroristattacks-anythingthatmightsendthemhomeearly.

           Immortalitymustgrantendlesspatience.NeitherJaspernorAliceseemedtofeeltheneedtodoanythingatall.Forawhile,Alicesketchedthevagueoutlineofthedarkroomfromhervision,asmuchasshecouldseeinthelightfromtheTV.Butwhenshewasdone,shesimplysat,lookingattheblankwallswithhertimelesseyes.Jasper,too,seemedtohavenourgetopace,orpeekthroughthecurtains,orrunscreamingoutthedoor,thewayIdid.

           Imusthavefallenasleeponthecouch,waitingforthephonetoringagain.ThetouchofAlice’scoldhandswokemebrieflyasshecarriedmetothebed,butIwasunconsciousagainbeforemyheadhitthepillow.